These chickadees are found in the boreal forest across northern North America from Alaska to eastern Canada. They eat small invertebrates, such as moths, aphids, beetles, and spiders, along with their larvae and eggs, as well as the seeds from some trees. Like other chickadee species, they cache food, hiding insect larvae and spruce seeds for the winter. Nesting in tree cavities, pairs may excavate their own nest hole, or use an existing one. Females build the interior part of the nest using moss, bark, lichen, feathers, animal hair, and plant down. They also incubate the eggs and brood the chicks just after hatching, while males bring food to the nest. Both parents feed the nestlings as they age.